Franklin Public Library debuts media PC, reports rising program attendance

The Franklin Public Library told its board of trustees on April 23 that a new Media PC and media room opened in April, offering patrons digitization and media-conversion tools.

Library staff reported the library held 55 adult-services programs with 898 attendees and 40 youth-services programs with 1,122 attendees in the most recent month, and said the new Media PC has attracted reservations.

The library director described the Media PC as a digital flatbed scanner that can handle photos, negatives and slides; a VHS and VHSC player; a camcorder interface for MiniDV; a device for converting audio cassettes; and a full suite of editing software. The director said patrons have made 22 reservations and completed five visits as of about a week before the meeting and that staff plan to augment the equipment and services.

The director said patrons make a reservation by phone; files produced on the Media PC are available in a digital format that can be saved to a thumb drive or other media at the time of use. The Media Room is located next to the youth room (identified in the meeting as the "You room"). Board members were told there is no formal time limit on use yet, though the director said limits could be introduced if demand grows.

Board members also heard updates that the library is running an annual teen online poetry jam and that summer reading buddy sign-ups are underway.

The board scheduled its next meeting for May 28.